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C
]
R407C (dew points)
t
oh
= 10 K (50Hz)
Slider (100%)
FI (50Hz)
Abb. 6 Application limits
Cooling capacity at over-synchroised operation (net: 400 V - 50 Hz)
0,84
0,86
0,88
0,9
0,92
0,94
0,96
0,98
1
50 55 60 65 70 75
Operating frequency [Hz]
Qo
COP
R
e
l
a
t
i
v
e
c
a
p
a
c
i
t
y
a
n
d
C
O
P
Abb. 7 Relative curve of capacity and COP at frequencies above
50Hz
Cooling capacity in [%]
P
o
w
e
r
c
o
n
s
u
m
p
t
i
o
n
i
n
[
%
]
Comparison of control with slider or FI
60
70
80
90
100
110
50 60 70 80 90 100
R407C t
c
= 50C
t
o
= 10C (S)
t
o
= 10C (FU)
t
o
= 0C (S)
t
o
= 0C (FU)
ideal
Abb. 5 Curve of the power consumption at 50C condensing
temperature
Oper. point current cons. I
max
max. freq. for I
max
= 94,5 A
-10C/40C 69,1 A 105 A 78 Hz
-10C/50C 71,4 A 105 A 66 Hz
0C/40C 62,9 A 105 A 75 Hz
0C/50C 74,5 A 105 A 63 Hz
5
The relative cooling capacity related to frequency is still
approx. 92% for 40 Hz. Reasons are an enlarged slip of the
motor caused by sub-tension when operating above 50 Hz,
and the increasing throttling losses in the compressor cau-
sed by the increasing refrigerant mass flow. When the speed
increases due to higher peripheral speed of the rotors, the
back flow losses are reduced and cannot compensate this
effect.
The COP shows a similar behaviour. The sub-tension, rising
proportionally to the frequency, causes a lower magnetizati-
on of the motor and thus a reduction of the efficiency ratio.
At the max. possible frequency of 74 Hz the performance
drops 14%.
Provided that the max. frequency is only needed to cover the
peak loads for a few days a year the reduction of the
COP value becomes less important. Especially important is
the capacity increase at higher compressor frequencies for
this operating point 36% from 117 to 159 kW.
Alternatively to the selected motor voltage of 400 V, 50 Hz
the compressor can also be equipped with a motor of 230 V,
50 Hz. In this case the frequency inverter is able to provide a
tension which is proportional to the frequency over the entire
speed range. Thus, the performance and COP losses for
operation with sub-tension mentioned before can be avoided.
The respective operating data had been measured with the
available motor at an intensified voltage, proportionally to the
frequency (50 Hz, 390 V to 60 Hz, 460 V). With respect to
motor efficiency and speed the results are comparable to
those of the motor 230V, 50Hz. The operating point t
o
= 0C,
t
c
= 45C was selected.
The cooling capacity increases sub-proportionally to 99%
relative value. The power consumption also increases sub-
proportionally to 98% relative value. This leads to a 1,4%
increase of the COP.
Due to the higher flow losses at increasing mass flow in the
compressor, the cooling capacity increases sub-proportional-
ly to the speed increase. The relative reduction of the power
consumption results from the lower back flow losses of the
compressor at higher frequencies. The COP increases to
1,4%. With the 400 V motor the COP dropped to 97% at this
operating point, as already mentioned. This result shows that
systems, which are primarily operated at frequencies above
50 Hz should be equipped with a motor, which allows a pro-
portional increase of voltage and frequency in this range as
well. This is a motor selected for 230 V, 3 PH, 50 Hz. In this
case it must be paid attention to the fact that the frequency
inverter has to be selected for higher currents when using
230 V motors.
Performance curve with frequency inverter (27 to 74 Hz)
The diagram shows the part load behaviour with frequency
inverter for 0C / 45C with R407 C. The red curve repre-
sents the part load behaviour for proportional change of ten-
sion and frequency. For frequencies above 50 Hz the curve
comes close to the curve of the proportional line. The
distance to the proportional line, which is still obvious, is due
to the efficiency ratio of the frequency inverter. The measu-
rings had been conducted up to 60 Hz. For higher frequen-
cies the efficiency of the inverter is almost compensated by
the better isentropic efficiency of the compressor developing
at higher speed. This positive effect is partly neutralized by
the increasing throttling losses of the compressor.
Speed or slider control a comparative study
Curve of cooling cap. at over-synchr. operation (net: 50 Hz - 400 V)
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
50 55 60 65 70 75
Operating frequency [Hz]
C
o
o
l
i
n
g
c
a
p
a
c
i
t
y
[
k
W
]
Qo (Measurement)
Qo (proportional)
Fig. 8 Curve of the cooling capacity at over-synchronic operation
Performance curve with FI (27 bis 74 Hz)
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Cooling capacity [%]
P
o
w
e
r
c
o
n
s
u
m
p
t
i
o
n
[
%
]
Umax = 400V
f/I = prop.
proportional
Fig. 9 Curve of the cooling capacity with FI
50 Hz 60 Hz
Relative values
for 60 Hz
Cooling capacity [kW] 116,9 139,4 99%
Power consumption [kW] 41,9 49,3 98%
COP 2,79 2,83 1,014
6
The blue curve shows the part load behaviour for compres-
sor operation from 50 Hz with increasing sub-tension. It is
obvious that the power consumption increases superpropor-
tionally to the increasing frequency. This characteristic, which
is achieved by the 400 Volts standard motor, should be used
only when this high performance is needed temporarily.
7 Summary
Due to the efficiency of the frequency inverter, the COP
achieved by this system in the respective control range is
always lower than it is for direct net operation.
The application range of the compressor is reduced when
operating with a frequency inverter. This leads to a slight
reduction of the maximal possible condensing temperatu-
re. A very suitable alternative for applications with higher
condensing temperatures is provided by the refrigerant
R134a.
The possibility to increase the compressors performance
by operating over 50 Hz and then using smaller compres-
sors, increases the efficiency of such systems.
For systems, which are primarily operated above 50 Hz,
one should check, if the application of a motor with 230 V
would be an economically efficient solution.
If there are requirements of the power companies concer-
ning restrictions of the staring currents, these might also
be met by using frequency inverters. Separate soft star-
ters are not necessary.
Both systems, slider control and variable frequency opera-
tion are suitable to adapt the compressor capacity to the
required performance. The decision, which system to use,
can be made only after a calculation of the system confi-
guration, taking into account the performance, capacity
ratio and the investment costs.
Net impedance, sinus filter and the load on the frequency
inverter can significantly reduce the blind current at fre-
quency inverter operation. The priority of each measure-
ment has to be specified more precisely by further tests.
Capacity control of screw compressors
7 Speed or slider control a comparative study
S
u
b
j
e
c
t
t
o
c
h
a
n
g
e
0
3
.
0
6
Bitzer Khlmaschinenbau GmbH
Eschenbrnnlestr. 15
71065 Sindelfingen, Germany
fon +49(0) 7031 932-0
fax +49(0) 703 932-146 & -147
www.bitzer.de www.bitzer-corp.com
bitzer@bitzer.de